Louis XIV - Illegal Tender

Louis XIV is likely to be one of those bands that you've "heard of" but never actually heard. There's a bit of a buzz on them around the internet. Satellite radio is also playing them, and once you hear "Finding Out True Love Is Blind," you'll be convinced that you heard them before. So, as a preemptive strike against losing momentum, the band has released a 5-song EP to keep you interested while they polish things off with a full-length. Despite the fact that there are 5 solid tracks here, the real appeal is the instantly appealing, previously mentioned, "Finding Out True Love Is Blind" track. The haunting piano, the frantic drums, the building tension, and the built-in chanting of the title are irresistible. The other stand out track would have to be "Marc," with its Sparklehorse-esque vocals, ballad structure, and a mournful 70's-era guitar solo. The title track, "Illegal Tender," shows off the dynamic vocal qualities of the band but is really just kind of a goofy little outbreak from the rest of the tracks. For a 5-song EP, this certainly does the trick in piquing interest in the band. If that destined-to-be-an-indie-rock-hit doesn't do it for you, the five minute instrumental jam on "Louis Reprise" probably will. [www.louisxiv.net]